Monday, February 12, 2018

Monday Meals - Mexican Stuffed Shells

Even though I love cooking...each day trying to figure out what to make is usually a struggle. How many of you feel the same way?

For me it isn't the lack of ideas...its more so the fact that I want multiple things! So every now and again I try and figure out how to combine things! This recipe combines my love of pasta with my love of Mexican food! Over the past few weeks I've made this meal several times...and Mike even likes it...which is sometimes a crap shoot. Ha!

Before we start with the step by step recipe...please note that I use the Taco Sauce that I make and can. It's a SUPER simple recipe that you can find *HERE*...I promise...it's simple! Or you can do what I did the first time, use the bottled taco sauce from the store. Seriously...these things are in the store for a reason...use them. But if you have the time, gumption and desire...make this sauce at home...you'll love it!

Also...you can use reduced fat cheese, and reduced fat cream cheese if you want...but honestly...why? Why? Let me ask that again. WHY?!? ;-) But just know...you can do that if you want. Oh! And if you want...use ground turkey or chicken. You can seriously make this your own.

How to make this amazing dish...(the written recipe, without pictures, is at the bottom of this post)

Ingredients:

- 30 Uncooked Jumbo Pasta Shells

- 1 Onion

- 2 lbs Ground Beef

- 16 oz Taco Sauce

- 3.5 oz Cream Cheese (I use Jalapeno Cream Cheese)

- 2 tsps. Chili Powder

- Kosher Salt & Fresh Ground Black Pepper, To Taste

- Olive Oil

- Sliced Black Olives

- Shredded Cheese (I used the Mexican Blend)

- Fritos Scoops Chips

First things first...get a large pot of water boiling. Season LIBERALLY with Kosher salt.

Cook pasta shells according to the instructions on the package.

After cooking time is up, drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.

Dice the onion. I tend to dice on the small side...but if you like larger chunks...do a rough chop!

Heat a skillet (I'm used a cast iron one here) to Medium heat...add some olive oil.

Add onions, saute until soft. Season with Kosher salt.

**NOTE** It's important to season with Kosher salt along the way!

Once the onions have softened...add the ground beef. Break it apart using a spoon, or you can even use a potato masher!